Video: Young couple’s love story cut tragically short

Closed captioning of: Young couple’s love story cut tragically short

>>back now at 8:11 with a
love story
cut far too short. a young bride loses her husband to cancer after just six weeks of marriage. it's a story that generated thousands of responses on our website. moving people in ways we rarely see. we're going to talk to the bride,
bethany
smith, in just a moment. but first, here's nbc's
janet shamlian
.

>> reporter: the story of
bethany
and
ryan
in some ways is like many others in
young love
. they met their freshman year at the
university of oregon
and sparks flew. they were immediately,
bethany
describes it, joined at the hip. they graduated in
2009
, found jobs, settled in to an apartment, and knew the formality of tying the knot was not far off. in the meantime, they had the world by its tail. as they documented in pictures and
home videos
. indulging their passion for travel and adopting a cat. they named him boots. but
ryan
was feeling ill. a colonoscopy in january of last year revealed a large tumor in his colon. what turned out to be stage four
testicular cancer
. the diagnosis was initially hopeful and the couple tried to continue on with a
normal life
.
ryan
surprised
bethany
with an
engagement ring
last july. as his condition took a turn for the worse, reality set in. doctors said he had very little time left. in december, with just three days planning, and herculean help from their friends,
bethany
and
ryan
were married. despite
ryan
's frail condition, it was a day filled with joy. they treasured every moment.

>>here's our rings. and yours. they look so good.

>>love you.

>> reporter: ryan
passed away six weeks later. while there is sadness,
bethany
says she sees a
silver lining
and hopes others will, too. she found her
true life
, the kind many spend a lifetime searching. for "today,"
janet shamlian
, nbc news.

The bittersweet tale of the late Ryan Smith and his wife Bethany has touched people around the world, and TODAY.com readers have shared their reactions online. Among the comments are words of encouragement, love and hope.

On Wednesday we published the story, by TODAY.com contributing editor
Laura T. Coffey,
of the young couple who planned a wedding in three days after learning that his cancer prognosis was grim. They set the date on a Thursday and were married by Sunday. “Looking back on it, there was more love in that room than I have ever experienced in my life,” Bethany said of her wedding day. “Although it was way too short, we were able to be married and celebrate our one-month anniversary, and that’s a gift no one can ever take away.” Six weeks after the wedding, Ryan was gone.

Their story has touched the hearts of many, including TODAY.com’s Facebook community. More than 18,000 people have recommended the story to their friends. Hundreds have left comments praising the couple for their bravery and courage.

Reader Laura Sweat said, “This story left me speechless! Literally broke my heart but lifted me back up. They were some strong individuals! They have the kind of love that people look for everyday.”

Kevin Kubota
/
Kubota Photo-Design

Bethany Smith's father, Stephen Schmidt, hugs the bride and groom shortly before Ryan Smith had to leave the wedding reception and go rest. Bethany's brother, Isaac Schmidt, is pictured on the right.

“What a beautiful and courageous couple,” said Karen-2529772. “My heart goes out to you Bethany! You had six weeks of loving marriage and many years of a wonderful relationship ... he is your guardian angel. You will meet up with him again.”

Many echoed Karen’s words, reassuring Bethany that just because Ryan has passed away that doesn’t mean he’s gone. Rkaralius said, “I think when someone is destined to suffer from such an illness, it's especially important that they find their soul mate to help them through it. Bethany and Ryan are such soul mates; their story began long ago and is far from over. Stay strong, Bethany, and know that Ryan is still with you.”

Ryan and Bethany’s story isn’t just for those in relationships. It is about hope for everyone, an idea that resonated for many readers. Kathy Davidson said, “I really think that I was meant to read this at this particular moment. If I ever were to have another relationship in my lifetime I would want to go here!” The Bigpicture agreed and said, “I am single and not in love and I am still bawling my eyes out. It's nice to know the precious few who are so very lucky to fall in love like this. May he rest in peace and prayers to Bethany for a happy and successful life.” Bigpicture wasn’t the only one with tears in her eyes. John-3403713 said, “Reading this story made me tear up for the first time in 15 years. So happy yet sad.”

Kevin Kubota
/
Kubota Photo-Design

Bethany and Ryan Smith's bittersweet love story has hit a chord with TODAY.com readers, with hundreds of comments and thousands of Facebook 'likes.'

Ryan and Bethany’s love story has reminded some to put their lives into perspective. MaryJane Garcia said that after reading the story, “All my trivial problems have vanished.” Diana Marion Winslett said, “This story filters out what truly matters ... love.”

The images from the wedding were especially poignant for people and many have said how much they love the romantic, intimate photos from the special day. “The pictures of them together are so precious and you could feel the love they shared," said Just Ice 4 Al. “Bethany will have these memories forever to cherish. God bless them both.”

Though the wedding was planned in only a matter of days, a large group of family and friends came from all over to celebrate the couple’s marriage. Facebook commenter Kim McCrady Osmonson called the story inspiring. “What lovely people,” she said of the couple. “Wake up every day and love your family and friends and community.”

Bride-to-be Michelle-1841649 wrote directly to Bethany in her comment, saying, “What a beautiful story and thank you for sharing it. I am currently in the throes of planning my wedding and your story has helped bring me back to what matters — the love of my fiancé and having our families and friends there with us. Thank you again and bless you.”

Courtesy of Bethany Smith

Bethany Schmidt and Ryan Smith kiss each other through face masks in August 2011, about one month after the couple got engaged.

Ryan and Bethany knew they wanted love to be the focus of their day. Bethany wrote of the wedding, “That’s what we wanted our wedding to be about: our love for each other and for our friends and family. We may have only had a few days to put it together but we both agreed we would have done it exactly the same even if we’d had years to plan.”

Wine and roses

Rose petals form the aisle at Bethany and Ryan Smith's wedding in Bend, Ore. The couple opted to have guests stand instead of sit to make the event feel more intimate.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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'So glad I met you'

When they were dating, Bethany gave Ryan a one-year anniversary card bearing the message, “You will not believe how glad I am to have met you.” Bethany highlighted those words in this chalkboard display at their wedding and also incorporated them into her wedding vows.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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Helping hands

Ariana Fernandez, co-owner and chef of Ariana Restaurant in Bend, Ore., helped Bethany and Ryan pull together their wedding at her restaurant in just three days. Here, Ariana's mother, Susan Asti, opens wine at the wedding reception.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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Personalized messages

Bethany said she wanted to avoid a Christmas theme for the December wedding, but she found paper-monogrammed ornaments at Pottery Barn that made ideal wedding favors. "We picked out a letter for each guest’s first name and I wrote a personalized thank you on the back of each one," she wrote on the wedding website Snippet & Ink. "We hung them on a beautiful birch tree and the guests had to find their ornament during the evening."
(Kevin Kubota / Kubota Photo-Design)
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'All I wanted to see'

"I remember walking in the door with my dad, having to turn a little corner, seeing so many people and just searching for Ryan. He was all I wanted to see," Bethany wrote.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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Their moment

Bethany and Ryan planned their wedding as quickly as they did because they knew how little time they had left to get married. Ryan died of a rare form of cancer six weeks after the wedding.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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A family's love

A few quick photos

Ryan was too sick to stay for the dinner and most of the wedding reception. Bethany and Ryan posed for a few photographs after the wedding ceremony, and then Ryan had to go lie down.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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Alone at her wedding reception

This photo of Bethany was taken shortly after the conclusion of the wedding ceremony. "The plan was to take photos right away but Ryan actually went to the car with his dad to lie down for a minute," Bethany said. "I was waiting for him to come back in to take photos and just got really sad he wasn't feeling well."
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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A special engagement

Bethany and Ryan displayed their engagement photos at their wedding. The couple got engaged in July 2011 and had these photos taken in November. After undergoing intensive chemotherapies, "Ry wanted to wait until he had a little hair," Bethany explained.
(Kubota Photo-Design)
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A precious gift

“Although it was way too short, we were able to be married and celebrate our one-month anniversary, and that’s a gift no one can ever take away,” Bethany said.

To watch a moving video montage of Ryan Smith’s life that was made by Bethany's brother Isaac Schmidt and shown at Ryan's memorial service, click here. To see a video Isaac made celebrating Bethany and Ryan’s relationship, click here.
(Kevin Kubota / Kubota Photo-Design)
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Editor's note:
This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.